Category Archives: Featured
Springtime in Imola
It wasn’t so very long ago that the European Formula One season would start with the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, often the second race of the season after Brazil. Anyone who knew it cannot but regret its loss as not only was the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari a superb race track but
2013 Chinese Grand Prix: Team-by-team
Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix saw impressive performances across the field from a dominant victory by Alonso to a brilliant points finish for Daniel Ricciardo. There was also some less than impressive racing from some which resulted in post race penalties. We take a look at where each team stands after round three. Ferrari Starting from
Will Perez’s inexperience hinder McLaren in 2013?
In November last year I wrote an article questioning McLaren’s decision to pick Sergio Perez as the replacement for the departing Lewis Hamilton. After two races for the team in 2013 he has scored just once and whilst the car is not as strong as it was in 2012 some have questioned whether Perez’s inexperience
Out of the Shadows
It’s all a matter of opinion, but to my mind the Shadow DN5 of 1975 was one of the best looking Formula One cars there has ever been. And in a season when optimum aerodynamic performance could be achieved through a variety of shapes there was plenty of competition – the Lotus 72 (then in
Zolder – Belgium’s Other Circuit
On ten occasions between 1973 and 1984 when the fourteen kilometre Spa-Francorchamps road circuit was deemed too dangerous for Formula One, the Belgian Grand Prix was held at the Country’s ‘other’ circuit – Zolder. It was never a popular venue amongst the motoring press initially because it was considered a poor substitute for the mighty
F1 – Let’s Get Back to Basics
This is a rallying call to all fans of Formula One. With the teams now pre-season testing and the first Grand Prix of 2013 just over a month away, there is much pre-occupation as to whether the new season will live up to everyone’s expectations. Will it be as exciting as the season just gone?
The Circus Kicks off in Enstone
The world watched with bated breath as Romain and Kimi slowly drew back the barely see-through cover. Will this finally be the car that puts the Enstone squad back on top? Will this be the car that makes Kimi a double world champion. Will this be the first car that Romain doesn’t crash? All of
Pirelli aims for multi-stop races with 2013 tyres
Following the presentation of its new tyres for the 2013 Formula 1 season, Pirelli is claiming the 2013 rubber will be faster than 2012 and suffer more degradation in an attempt to force more pit stops and overtaking opportunities. Pirelli were presenting the 2013 tyres at their Milan base on Wednesday. The company are producing
Can The Power Of Social Media Save FanVision® F1?
Earlier today it was announced that FanVision® F1 could not agree to terms with FOM to continue their service. This news is devestating to true die hard F1 fans. Many professionals including reporters and journalists relied on this marvelous technology as well. For those of you unfamiliar with FanVision® and what it provided to its
Remembering Zandvoort
When I first started attending Formula One races back in 1974 the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort was a permanent fixture on the calendar. It had done well to hold on to its slot considering the relative lack of Dutch Formula One talent and the horrific deaths of Piers Courage and Roger Williamson in the
So, Was 2012 the Best F1 Season Ever?
Now that the dust – or as it was in many cases, the mud – has settled on the 2012 season, did it ultimately live up to its earlier hype to be considered the best ever? That depends on what it is that makes a season ‘good’ and what is considered as ‘ever’. Taking the
Competition Time in Partnership with FreestyleXtreme
PureF1.com’s Christmas Competition in Partnership with FreestyleXtreme. 2012 has been another incredible year in Formula 1. The racing has been closer this year than ever, and with the hugely popular DRS meaning overtaking as been re-introduced into the sport, it’s a year to remember. Codemasters have recently launched Formula 1 2012 for the Playstation 3,
Why I Worry About the Future of Our Sport
There are now just two races left of the 2012 season, one that has seen 8 different winners from 6 different teams in a championship running over 19 races in 18 countries. With a full grid of 24 cars and the status quo set for next year, the sport looks healthy. Why then do I
The Podium Problem
When the decision was made to switch the post-race interview from a formal press conference panel to an impromptu podium interview, I had mixed feelings about this change. Of course, the podium interview has its own merits—we are given the opportunity to witness the elation and sheer joy of the top 3 drivers as they
Are Enclosed Cockpits in F1’s Future?
Anyone who saw Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes climbing over the cockpit of Narain Karthikeyan’s HRT will have immediately thought of the Fernando Alonso/Romain Grosjean crash in Spa Francochamps earlier in the season. No Copyright data available Since Felipe Massa’s accident in 2009, where his helmet was pierced by a flying spring, and Henry
The German Grand Prix – Now and Then
This summer I made my first visit to the relatively new, shortened Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix. I had been to the original track on a couple of occasions and have to admit it was never one of my favourites. My first visit in 1979 was a working assignment and part of my remuneration
F1 Singapore GP: Pirelli Compounds Irrelevant?
With the next round of Formula One action ready to kick off this weekend. Pirelli announced that they will be bringing the soft and super soft compounds. By the sounds of the weather forecast, they should be bringing Intermediate, Full Wets, umbrellas and wellies. The temperatures are set to hit 32°C feeling closer to 40°C
The Spanish Grand Prix – A Backward Look
This May I made my first visit to the Spanish Grand Prix since 1999 although it wasn’t the lure of the Circuit de Catalunya that drew me back but the desire to make a return visit to my favourite city, Barcelona. I was at the inaugural race at Montmelo in 1991 and have been back
A Spectator’s Photographic Guide to Spa
With so many British racing fans making the annual trip to Spa, August’s blog continues with last month’s theme and takes a tour of the Ardennes circuit highlighting the best areas for viewing and photography that are to be had with a general admission (GA) ticket. Anyone with a grandstand seat will obviously wish to
Red Bull Traction Control?
Germany found Red Bull in hot water for pushing the boundaries of engine management, again. This time, the debate is centered around a form of traction control that Red Bull has developed in conjunction with Renault. Traction control was obviously banned some years ago, however, using engine mapping was a new approach and the FIA
